The year was 2000, and Arsene Wenger was in the hunt for a striker. The likes of Marc Overmars and Davor Suker were leaving the club, so the Gunners desperately needed some firepower. Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Real Madrid, a 19 year old Cameroonian by the name of Samuel Etoo was on his way to Highbury to sign a contract when Real Mallorca boss Luis Aragones boss intervened.
''I was about to sign that very afternoon at Arsenal and maybe I would have never been the player I am today. I met Luis at a crucial moment in my life where I had to take the right direction - and thanks to him I did. I was about to sign that very afternoon at Arsenal and maybe I would have never been the player I am today. Luis picked me, then I ended up joining Barcelona. That decision changed everything. - Samuel Etoo, September 2013.
One of Africas best ever players has enjoyed a stunningly successful career, winning the treble at both Barcelona and Inter Milan, and scoring in two Champions League finals. Arguably, his finest moment came against Arsenal as he latched onto a Henrik Larsson pass with 15 minutes remaining and the Catalans trailing in the 2006 final, to fire past Manuel Almunia moments before the Spaniards snatched the winner. The four-time African Player of the Year has enjoyed one hell of a career, and when he looks back fondly at his three Champions League winners medals at the end of his career, he will be thankful that Aragones stepped in when he did.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
